Subcompact Weapon Lights

[floogy]

I'm looking at getting most of my carry guns weapons lights. The railed ones are easy. The ones without rails, Shield, G26, P238, LCP etc are very limited. Since defensive encounters are often at night, lights are important, but often overlooked for small guns in particular.

The TLR-6 is the most common option. With or without laser. It has housings for most common semi autos. At only 100 lumens, it's not the brightest out there, but equivalent to its competitors. Holsters are fairly easy to find. Reliability seems good based on reviews and it's been out for a while now. It's around $70 for light only and about a $100 for light/laser.

The Crimson Trace Lightguard is another option. Slightly higher output at 110 lumens for about $70. Also available with laser (Laserguard Pro) but at $250, it's far more than the TLR-6 with laser. Holsters seem to be hard to find.

I know even less about the Viridian Reactor TL. Same output of 100 lumens, but full reviews are non-existent as far as I've seen. The light can be purchased with a holster that fits, but I know of no holster makers that make them.

I may have missed one, but if I did, I imagine holsters for light would be much harder to find. I'm pretty picky about holsters and ones for weapon mounted lights are even tougher to find. Streamlight is the clear winner for holster options. The others are nearly impossible to find holsters for. Either have a local guy make a custom holster with your actual light and firearm, or get the kydex and make your own.

Getting thoughts and experiences with this type of weapon light. I didn't see many posts about it, so I figured it might be helpful to post something and see what people's experiences were. Holster options are a big factor. No point in getting a light without a decent holster for it.

[Erion929]

[floogy]

True, but target ID is critical. Just because you can hit a target at that range in the dark doesn't mean you know who or what you're shooting at. At least in my house I have light switches. I won't have the switch to street or parking lot lights. If they're there in the first place. There may be enough light to see people and cars around you, but not details. The difference between seeing a gun or knife and a good shoot or a bad one.

I also have a flashlight, but having one mounted to the gun is pretty helpful, not to mention gives you a free hand if you need to drop the flashlight or grab a family member. Given the amount of money a lot of us spend on guns and ammo, the light is a drop in the bucket. I see zero disadvantages to using one and several without one.

[code_blue]

The Viridian uses a magnet to activate/deactivate their ECM unit. Holster options are limited, but you can basically add a magnet to any holster. I've owned one on a Shield and carried for some time. It became a gimmick to me, so I took it off since my now preferred holster maker doesn't support it.

If I did it all over again, I'd just get the TLR-6 (light only) and be done with it. I doubt I'd use it as much as the TLR-7 and TLR-1 on my larger framed pistols, but it is nice to have.

[floogy]

The Viridian uses a magnet to activate/deactivate their ECM unit. Holster options are limited, but you can basically add a magnet to any holster. I've owned one on a Shield and carried for some time. It became a gimmick to me, so I took it off since my now preferred holster maker doesn't support it.

If I did it all over again, I'd just get the TLR-6 (light only) and be done with it. I doubt I'd use it as much as the TLR-7 and TLR-1 on my larger framed pistols, but it is nice to have.

So that's the auto on/off. That doesn't seem particularly great. You may not want a light turned on.

The TLR-6 does seem to be the best option. I'm tempted to wait a while and see if a higher output light comes out soon, but I've not heard of any.

I've got a couple of TLR-1s that I plan on switching to TLR-7 for carry and TLR-1HL for home defense and OWB carry.

[code_blue]

So that's the auto on/off. That doesn't seem particularly great. You may not want a light turned on.

The TLR-6 does seem to be the best option. I'm tempted to wait a while and see if a higher output light comes out soon, but I've not heard of any.

I've got a couple of TLR-1s that I plan on switching to TLR-7 for carry and TLR-1HL for home defense and OWB carry.

Just note that the TLR-7 activation switch is not ideal unless you have monkey long fingers/thumbs. LOL

[GlockN'Roll]

A seldom discussed aspect of a weapon mounted flashlight is the need to actually draw down on someone to use it.

While this is perfect for home defense (I have a very bright one mounted on my G21), it can be a particularly risky/deadly move outside the home.

Unless you are a LEO or live near dangerous game, pistol mounted flashlights are IMHO generally a bad idea for your CCW pistol.

[FeuerFrei]

I recommend the OP cut to the chase and buy an appropriate sized handheld light for LTC. It's a more flexible option and not difficult to train up to a competent level of use.

Lights on HD weapons du jour? You bet.

[OCEquestrian]

Unless you are a LEO or live near dangerous game, pistol mounted flashlights are IMHO generally a bad idea for your CCW pistol.

My feelings exactly. Putting a light on a CCW pistol which is a "defensive weapon only" doesn't make sense to me.
- It's not like you should be out in public clearing a structure or "looking" for someone. A CCW is a defensive weapon only.
- The addition of a light is contrary to the "C" in CCW and more so on a sub compact.
- Tactically, searching around with a weapon mounted light turned on in the dark makes it easier to see you and engage you. Don't forget LEO's work in different conditions and rules of engagement and seldom try to clear a structure alone...

On your home or business defensive weapon, sure a light is a valuable tool. For police officers...necessary without a doubt. The only pistol with a light on it is my home defense pistol in my night stand. All my CCW pistols have night sights only.

[code_blue]

So much boomer FUDD here. Yall gonna rack yo shotty to scare away the perp also? Aim a laser to let dem know yall mean bidniz? Yall gonna scream, "Contact!" or "Suppression fire!" before you engage?

Learn both WML and handheld then come to your own conclusion like you're supposed to. The topic was about WML selections for SC sized weapons without rails, not about your opinion of use.

[floogy]

A seldom discussed aspect of a weapon mounted flashlight is the need to actually draw down on someone to use it.



While this is perfect for home defense (I have a very bright one mounted on my G21), it can be a particularly risky/deadly move outside the home.



Unless you are a LEO or live near dangerous game, pistol mounted flashlights are IMHO generally a bad idea for your CCW pistol.

[code_blue]

Well I do carry a flashlight that is much brighter than the Streamlights. So it won’t be the only option. I think once the gun is drawn, the weapon light is a better option. You also don’t necessarily need to point it directly to illuminate an area. But if it comes to actually having to fire, I don’t want to have to rely on my off hand to hold a flashlight if I need to use it for something.

If you’re carrying a handheld light, I see zero disadvantages to using a WML. I’m surprised people are against carrying them. If it’s bigger, like an X300 or TLR-1 then it may be, but these are pretty small.


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That's because this place is full of boomer FUDDs who refuse to objectively look at advancing their own skills. These types rely on arguing from credentials via NRA certifications or "I did this, so I know better than you" or "you better not do this because you'll get prosecuted" mentalities.

The shooting world has advanced SO much from technology to techniques. The body mechanics side is huge. The sports and combat sides are merging together to form more fluid and efficient shooting to save lives.

No more squaring up and squatting like you're pooping your pants or bladed full on weaver. You need to be able to keep moving to avoid being a static target. Training to shoot from unconventional positions because your SD situation will almost never be a perfect world scenario. Force on force training with elevated stress is needed. Worst of all, they still believe that LE deserve more than the common person. We're all the same! Evil goes everywhere!

Look at your thread. You asked a specific question and they responded with their FUDD without even answering your question. That's Calguns nowadays.

[floogy]

I recommend the OP cut to the chase and buy an appropriate sized handheld light for LTC. It's a more flexible option and not difficult to train up to a competent level of use.

Lights on HD weapons du jour? You bet.

[plumbum]

I prefer to identify things in the dark by pointing a flashlight at it, as there are many things I’d prefer not to point a gun at in a high stress situation; headlamps are your friend.

(I would make an exception for a light mounted on a shotgun, which would be appropriate due to my lack of a third hand)

[floogy]